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Erdogan: Kurdistan On My Mind

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BY SETO BOYADJIAN, ESQ.

TURKEY-KURDS-HOLIDAY-NOWRUZKurdistan has always been on Erdogan’s mind. In fact, it has been on the minds of every single Turkish leader since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Kurdistan constitutes one of two nightmares that constantly visit Turkish leaders and policy makers – the other being the Armenian Cause. In this context, Turkey is caught in a virtual hellish world of its own making where each one of these nightmares causes equal amount of anguish to Turkish rulers.

Unfortunately for Turkey, the question has never been how to get out of these nightmares like a mature and modern country guided by the concept of justice in its fairest and most decent meaning. Rather, the question for Turkey has been how to stifle the just voices of the Kurdish and Armenian people whose very existence is causing these nightmares.

In case of the Kurdish people, Turkey has been waging an outright war against Kurds within Turkey – by sending in the Turkish army and air force to kill them; by engaging the Turkish government to deny their basic human rights and cultural identity; and by treating them as “mountain Turks” in an effort to erase their ethnic heritage. On the other side of the Turkish border, the Kurds in Syria and Iraq have been subjected to Turkish disdain and persecution in all subtle means available to the successive Turkish governments.

In case of the Armenian people, Turkey has been waging a different kind of war against Armenians of Armenia and the Diaspora – by implementing a state policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide; by continued occupation of Western Armenia; by forcing its “gag rule” on powerful countries such as the United States to keep silent on issues pertaining Genocide and Armenian rights; by blockading the Republic of Armenia in an utter violation of international law; by denying the people of Nagorno Karabakh their lawful right to self-determination; and by supporting Azerbaijan in its policy of aggression against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

Now, Turkey is exploiting the IS created conditions to the maximum to advance its policy of hostility toward the Kurds in the area.

The ongoing onslaughts by the Islamic State (IS) against Kurdish people and Kurdish townships in Syria and Iraq are providing Turkey with additional ways and means to carry on its fight against the Kurdish nightmare. A closer look at the situation on ground in Syria and Iraq reveals that Turkey is the main culprit behind the arming and training of IS elements and its insurgent surrogates. In legal parlance, Turkey is both accessory before and after the fact to the tragic fate of townships such as Kobani.

There is a specific objective in Turkish complicity with IS and its affiliated bands. As Middle East expert Michael Lüders put it in his televised analysis a few days ago, “Turkey is secretly cooperating with the Islamic State,” because Turkey wants “the Kurds to suffer a major defeat.” To weaken and to demoralize the Kurds in northern Syria and Iraq, Turkey is covertly aiding and abetting these terrorist elements.

Turkey’s designs in collaborating with IS aims to achieve other objectives beyond Kurdish defeat. According to Michael Lüders, Turkey hopes that “the conflict will evolve into a larger one,” so that the “international community will wage war against Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian President,” as well.

But, be that as it may, at this point in time the Turkish aim is to weaken the Kurdish people and deal them a heavy blow by their defeat at the hands of IS. Threatened by the advancing IS forces, the Kurds of northern Syria and Iraq have now become easy preys to Turkish objectives.

However, as recent developments indicate, this Turkish effort against the Kurdish people has ceased being restricted to the Syrian and Iraqi regions. As of the beginning of this week, Turkish government has expanded its effort to Turkey proper, this time against its own citizens of Kurdish origin.

Last Monday, Turkish jets bombed Kurdish areas in the southeast of Turkey. Turkish Air Force jets hit Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) positions in Daglica village in the southeast. Turkish helicopters attacked PKK positions near Geyiksuyu village in eastern Turkey.

These attacks against PKK and other Kurdish positions come in the wake of Turkish government’s refusal to allow Turkish Kurds to join their brethren in their struggle against IS forces besieging the Syrian township of Kobani.

Turkey isn’t even batting an eye over the tragic plight of Kurds in Kobani. It is sitting tight and watching the maiming and killing of Kurds at the hands of IS militants. When Kurds in Turkey want to do something to assist their brothers and sisters across the border in Syria, Turkey is not only prohibiting them; it is also sending in its jets and helicopters against them.

It should be, but this is not ironic. This is pure Turkish policy against its century-old Kurdish nightmare. It is no different from Turkish blockade of Armenia, after decimating and deporting the Armenian people from their ancestral homeland of Western Armenia.

Yet, despite the ongoing hostile Turkish policy against the Kurdish people, Kurdistan will endure and continue to remain on Erdogan’s mind. Just as the Armenian people and their cause, they will continue to be on Erdogan’s mind.

Kurdistan and Armenian Cause are stubborn nightmares. They will not go away. Turkey has to learn to live with them … or it has to start changing itself on the side of justice.

The West must offer Armenia incentives rather than decry its ties with Russia

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By Harut Sassounian
TheCaliforniaCourier.com

Harut-SassounianOn October 10, after lengthy heated debates, Armenia signed a treaty to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), composed of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. The agreement goes into effect on January 1, 2015, subject to ratification by parliaments of the four countries. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have also expressed an interest in joining the Union.

The intended objective of forming EEU is to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor across member states, and to implement a coordinated policy in the energy, industrial, agricultural and transport sectors.

Views of analysts on the merits of Armenia’s membership in EEU diverge depending on whether they are proponents or opponents of the country’s leadership. The arguments advanced by opponents of EEU include the possible loss of Armenia’s independence and isolation of Artsakh (Karabagh) through the establishment of customs checkpoints at the border. EEU proponents, on the other hand, are stressing Armenia’s geostrategic and economic interests. It remains to be seen which of these arguments will eventually prevail.

Meanwhile, there are some basic facts that are self-evident. Armenia has had long-standing and multifaceted links to Moscow going back to the Tsarist era, the Soviet Union, and today’s Russian Federation.

It is imperative to recall that the livelihood of hundreds of thousands Armenian migrants in Russia will be impacted by Armenia’s EEU membership, in terms of their ability to reside and work in that country. Furthermore, Armenian businesses would be able to expand their small domestic market, exporting their products with favorable tax terms to over one hundred million potential consumers in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Armenia would also serve as an easy gateway for foreign investors interested in entering the vast and complex EEU markets.

In the final analysis, three essential questions need to be raised on Armenia’s membership in EEU:

1) Given the ongoing Artsakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s multi-billion dollar military spending spree, which country has sold and will continue to sell Armenia advanced weapons to mitigate the growing threat from Baku? Not the Unites States, Great Britain or France, but Russia!

2) Which country can provide Armenia with desperately-needed natural gas at any price, let alone at subsidized prices? Russia and Iran to a lesser extent through a small pipeline.

3) Since Russia is Armenia’s largest trading partner, it makes more economic sense to have favorable tax terms with that country than with Europe. Not joining EEU would place Armenia at a serious tax disadvantage with devastating economic consequences.

While these are compelling reasons for Armenia’s decision to join EEU, no one should conclude that Yerevan has to remain exclusively in the Russian economic zone. Clearly, it is in Armenia’s interest to develop multilateral ties with the rest of the world, including Western Europe, North America, Middle East, and Asia. Armenian officials have repeatedly stated their interest in developing closer economic, political, and even military relations with Western countries, but not at the expense of Armenia’s historical ties with Russia.

Meanwhile, it would be far more productive if Western countries, particularly the United States, rather than urging Armenian leaders to cut off vital relations with Russia, would actually offer tax privileges and other incentives to their investors in Armenia, thus reducing Yerevan’s exclusive dependence on Russia. Similarly, U.S. criticism and warnings issued to Armenia for its commercial ties with Iran are manifestly counter-productive. It would be far more helpful if the Obama administration could muster the courage to press Turkey and Azerbaijan into lifting their joint blockade of the Armenian Republic which has been in effect for over 20 years.

In the light of the foregoing existential strategic and economic realities, Western countries would be better served to use carrots rather than sticks to help steer Armenia toward a more balanced relationship between East and West.

LOS ANGELES, ANCA-WR Announces 2014 General Election Endorsements

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endorsement-finalLOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region announced its 2014 General Election endorsements, helping Armenian Americans demonstrate their electoral strength to those federal, state, and local candidates who have proven their ability and intention to best serve the communities they will represent.

“It is our mission to continue to empower Armenian American voters to cast informed votes at the ballot box on November 4,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair, Nora Hovsepian. “These endorsements are largely based on candidates’ responses to our questionnaires, detailed in-person interviews, and our conclusion that the endorsed candidates are in the best position and have shown the greatest commitment toward supporting issues important to the Armenian American community.”

Armenian American voters across the United States are urged to exercise their right to vote in the General Election on November 4th and lend their support to the candidates who have been steadfast advocates of the Armenian Cause. Many of the elections taking place are going to be won by a very slim margin. It is imperative that every eligible citizen cast his or her vote in this General Election. The ANCA-WR seeks to maximize the value of each individual vote and launched the Hye Votes initiative in 2012 toward that goal, registering thousands of new voters and encouraging all voters to cast their timely ballots. Today, its dedicated team of volunteers and coalition partners are still working tirelessly to ensure high voter turnout among the Armenian-American community.

The 2014 General Election will take place on November 4, 2014. In order to vote, you must be registered. The ANCA-WR urges community members who are U.S. citizens and over the age of 18 not yet registered to vote, to register by the October 20, 2014 deadline. To register to vote online, request a vote by mail ballot or obtain additional information, contact ANCA WR Hye Votes office at (818) 806-8683, or check visit www.hyevotes.org.


The ANCA WR’s list of endorsements include:


California Statewide Races
Jerry Brown (D) Governor
Gavin Newsom (D) Lieutenant Governor
Alex Padila (D) Secretary of State
John Chiang (D) State Treasurer
Kamala Harris (D) Attorney General
Betty Yee (D) State Controller
Tom Torlakson (D) Superintendent of Public Instruction

California State Senate
Kevin De Leon (D – 22) Chinatown, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, East Los Angeles, Little Armenia
Robert Hertzberg (D – 18) Pacoima, Sylmar, Toluca Lake, Sherman Oaks, Sun Valley, Van Nuys
Tony Mendoza (D – 32) Downey, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera
Jose Solorio (D – 34) Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Santa Ana


California State Assembly
Katcho Achadjian (R – 35) San Luis Obispo
Cheryl Brown (D – 47) Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino
Ian Calderon (D – 57) Hacienda Heights, La Mirada, Whittier
Matt Dababneh (D – 45) Calabasas, Canoga Park, Encino, Northridge, Reseda, Woodland Hills
Steve Fox (D – 36) Lancaster, Palmdale
Mike Gatto (D-43) Hollywood, Glendale, Burbank, Silverlake
Chris Holden (D – 41) Pasadena, San Dimas
Al Murasachi (D-66) Torrance
Adrin Nazarian (D – 46) Hollywood Hills, Panorama City, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys
Kristen Olsen (R – 12) Stockton, Tracy
Jim Patterson (R – 23) Fresno
Scott Wilk (R – 38) Santa Clara

Los Angeles County Races
Bobby Shirver (D) LA County Supervisor-3 (Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Van Nuys)
Hilda Solis (D) for LA County Supervisor-1 (Downtown LA, Montebello, Pico Rivera)
Jim McDonnell for LA County Sheriff
Jeffrey Prang for LA County Assessor


Arizona Statewide Endorsements
Doug Ducey ( R ) for Governor
Michele Reagan ( R ) for Secretary of State

The ANCA federal level endorsements will be released in the coming week. Endorsements are based primarily on ANCA Congressional Report Cards, a detailed review of each incumbent’s record across a broad range of Armenian American issues. Report Cards, prepared in consultation with regional leaders and local ANCA chapters across the country, cover issues ranging from securing justice for the Armenian Genocide and the strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations to defending Nagorno Karabakh’s independence, and increasing U.S. aid and trade levels. Review the ANCA report cards.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Armenian, Serbian Presidents meet in Yerevan

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Serbia-armenia-leadersAt the meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić who has arrived in Armenia for an official visit, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan stated that the visit will give renewed impetus to the bilateral political dialogue and cooperation, according to the presidential press service.

Mr Nikolić said Serbia will make every effort to strengthen the bilateral interstate ties and deepen cooperation.

The Armenian President awarded the Order of Honor to the President of Serbia in connection with his visit to Armenia and as a token of Armenian-Serbian friendship. The Serbian President awarded the Order of the Republic of Serbia to the Armenian President.

France: The wrath of the Eastern Christians, Kurds and Yezidis in the National Assembly

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DSC07465Before the dramatic events that have marred the Armenians, Assyrians and Chaldeans, Syriacs, Yezidis and Kurds, for several years now, Syria and more recently in Iraq, the Armenian community of France gathered Tuesday, October 7th in the National Assembly for scream outrage at the call of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF), soon joined by the Kurdish Democratic Council of France which resulted in its wake hundreds of Kurdish Yezidi and Assyrian-Chaldean, welcomed the applause of Armenians say stop to the barbarity of the Islamic State and denounce “the inaction of the international community” face of the dramatic situation in Kobanê.

Of numerous personalities from the political class and the voluntary sector have thus succeeded in the gallery of the Edouard Herriot up to about a little over 1,600 people determined, demanding weapons to the PKK and humanitarian support for survivors of Kobanê. The attitude of Turkey, accomplice of IE by its negligence and inaction to assist Kurdish fighters, has been widely criticized and booed by the protesters.

Among those present who were not raised at the forum, we could recognize François Bayrou (Modem), Henri Jibrayel (PS) -d’origine chaldéene- Assyrian-François Pupponi (PS) and François Rochebloine (UDI).

100 years after the 1915 genocide that has hit hard the Armenians, Assyrians and Chaldeans, Syriacs and Greeks (1916-1923), as saying all Christians in Turkey, history is repeating itself in Iraq and Syria under the hordes bloody Sunni Islamic state.

After Mosul, Aleppo, Kessab Kobanê, and the destruction of the Holy Martyrs memorial at Deir-ez-Zor, Supreme Criminal stage of the Armenian Genocide, the madness of the IU raises worldwide anger and indignation. That’s what came to tell the elect of the Republic of France diasporic communities expressing their anger, while at the same time the Turkish police charged the Kurdish community in Diyarbakir killing 18, while Erdogan said he was supposedly supports the creation of a buffer zone between Syria and Turkey during a telephone conversation with President Holland.

After a preliminary presentation of the expected speakers Harout Mardirossian (CDCA) left the floor to co-president Mourad Papazian CFC. In his opening speech of the rally, the latter heavily denounced “barbaric jihadists who both Iraq and Syria aim to spread terror among the population in the slaying. The horror of the Islamic state is unbearable and it is in the union of the Armenians, Kurds, Assyrian-Chaldeans, Yezidis and Christians of the East, we must condemn the court of public opinion and states. “Has he said. Then hammering “the goal is to install the jihadists in Iraq and Syria ultra-Islamist and fascist regimes. And in this context, the Turkish government pretended to want to fight, but the reality is quite different. Ankara is home to jihadists, drives the jihadists, finance jihadists. The goal of Turkey is to take advantage of the situation, not to fight the Islamic state, but to weaken the Kurdish and get rid of Armenians and Christians. Ankara is using the conflict and subcontracts jihadists elimination of Armenians and Armenian any traces in Syria. We have seen in making Kessab and blasting the Church and the memorial at Deir-ez-Zor, a symbol of the Armenian Genocide. Deir Zor is the Auschwitz of the Armenians!. “Continuing his remarks, Mourad Papazian insisted:” Turkey is not a reliable ally. , We know that it is not possible to trust him! While the Turks might intervene militarily to prevent jihadists seize Kobanê, we find that they promote their advanced preventing Kurds from Turkey to strengthen the ranks of the resistance Daesh. “ Finally, to conclude, Mourad Papazian called for the intensification of the anti-Jihad fight, calling the coalition to organize a ground intervention, the only way to push back the forces of evil and occupation. “

For Valerie Boyer (UMP) ‘if genocide was to take place today, it will be because the Armenian genocide was not prevented or punished those responsible! “. She also outraged over the destruction of the Church of Deir ez-Zor, “the Auschwitz of the Armenians,” said she said, pointing to the double game of Turkey.

The representative of CRIF, Gil Taieb, for his part, speaking on behalf of the Jewish people and exclaimed: “Today you should know that you are not alone,” he “will have to continue, talking, screaming. We’ll have around us to explain that no one can rest easy, knowing that somewhere in this world there are men and women who weep, who are massacred, abducted and murdered! “

 

Armenian Film Project Seeks Backing on Kickstarter

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photo-mainIn commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Stephanie Garoyan Ayanian and Storyshop Films are producing the documentary film “A New Armenia” to document Armenian American lives today.

“Many excellent films have been made about the Armenian Genocide, but there are no films that capture the stories of the generations of Armenians who have grown up in the United States,” the filmmakers say in a statement released about the project.

Storyshop Films, with experienced filmmakers Stephanie Ayanian, Tom Keiter, and Joseph Myers, are asking the community to back their project on Kickstarter with monetary contributions to help make the film a reality. Their goal is to raise $45,000 dollars by Oct. 21 (of which about 28,000 has been raised at the time of this writing).

Kickstarter is an online “crowdfunding” website, where individual can contribute donations or investments to a project. If the project’s funding goal (in this case $45,000) is reached, the project receives the money, but if the goal is missed, the money contributed is returned to the donors.

“To make the film, the creators will immerse themselves in the daily lives of Armenian Americans young and old,” the project’s description explains.

“Spending significant time with both families and individuals, we will watch artists, musicians, and language teachers at their craft. We’ll peek into kitchens while grandparents impart thousand-year-old recipes. We’ll share social and religious traditions, with laughter and solemnity. We’ll huddle with business leaders as they bring honor and financial security to their families and communities.

“We lack a film that documents and celebrates the joys, struggles, culture, and values of these Armenian Americans. We lack a film that asks: as survivors, and as a thriving community, how do we move into the future while remaining connected to our values, our roots?

“It is our mission to perpetuate a thriving Armenian culture. Please help us make this film,” the film’s Kickstarter statement reads.

The project idea for “A New Armenia” originated with Stephanie Ayanian, a third-generation Armenian American living in the Philadelphia area. Her grandparents survived the Genocide as children, grew up in the Armenian ghettos of Marseille, France, and came to reestablish their community in Fresno, California. Her bedtime stories were often of her grandmother’s childhood—the Genocide, the kidnapping of her family members, the reuniting, and the refugee camps.

“First, we must find the families,” the filmmakers say on their Kickstarter page. “The hardest part of any film like this is to spend the time – real, dedicated time – traveling, meeting people and choosing a ‘cast’ of families and characters for the film. This is where your support and your stories come in.”

“Your support will provide funding for preliminary interviews with Armenians around the country, and the plane tickets and hotel rooms we’ll need to make them happen. The stories you send us after you sign up to donate will help us cast a net far and wide, leaving no stone unturned in our search for the best stories.”

Storyshop’s Ayanian, Keiter, and Myers have considerable experience as filmmakers with multiple national directing, producing, and executive producing credits, as well as many awards. Storyshop’s documentary work takes on difficult, complex topics, and attempts to change minds through real-person narrative storytelling. Storyshop has a history of public television projects that focus on issues including human rights, domestic violence, technology, and environment.

Previous public television projects include “Liquid Assets,” “Geospatial Revolution,” “Telling Amy’s Story,” “World on Trial,” “You Can’t Say That” (in development), and “Water Blues, Green Solutions.”

To learn more about the “A New Armenia” film project and to make contributions, visit the project’s Kickstarter page.

165 million people use Armenian IT programmers’ creation

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YEREVAN. – A total of 165 million people around the world are using the PicsArt American company’s photo editing application which Armenian programmers have developed, and this application is included in the world’s top 100 programs.

PicsArt-Armenia Marketing Manager Arusiak Kanetsyan told the above-said to Armenian News-NEWS.am on Saturday.

“PicsArt is an application for photo editing and photographing. It also has a social network whereby you may share your creations with other people.

“This application is fully programmed by Armenian specialists, and it can be downloaded for free,” Kanetsyan added.

In her words, this program is updated every month.

Belgrade will take steps to strengthen Armenian-Serbian relations

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armenian-serbia-fmOfficial Belgrade will take steps to strengthen Armenian-Serbian relations.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić noted the aforesaid at his meeting, on Thursday in the Serbian capital city of Belgrade, with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

Nikolić added that the Serbian and the Armenian peoples are connected to one another by historical friendly similarities.

In turn, Nalbandian conveyed to President Nikolić the best wishes by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, and expressed confidence that the Serbian leader’s forthcoming visit to Armenia’s capital city Yerevan will give new impetus to the expanding and deepening of cooperation between the two countries.

During the talk, the interlocutors stressed the willingness of both sides to further promote Armenian-Serbian relations, and underscored the establishment of reciprocal diplomatic representations in the two capital cities.

Tomislav Nikolić and Edward Nalbandian also exchanged views on several regional and international matters and the avenues for their resolution.

Armenian appointed Sweden’s Parliament deputy speaker

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Esabelle Dingizian 0066A Sweden Armenian Esabelle Dingizian became one of deputy speakers of Sweden’s Parliament, The Local informs.

After the parliament elections, Social Democrat politician Urban Ahlin was announced as the main speaker of the country‘s parliament, while Tobias Billström from the Moderates and Esabelle Dingizian from the Green Party were announced deputy speakers. The third deputy speaker is Sweden Democrat party secretary Björn Söder.

 

40 bikers Armenians and foreigners should arrive in Yerevan April 24, 2015 for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

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arton103656-480x265More than forty bikers of various nationalities are from Los Angeles and join Armenia. The group of bikers arrive at the memorial of the Armenian Genocide April 24, 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Harout Bokarian President of the “Club of motorcyclists Armenians,” said at a press conference in Yerevan on September 25 that the bikers who arrive in Armenia in April with two routes. “But we will choose one . The first is to cross Europe to come to Armenia, which poses a serious problem because for departure in March, the winter climate in Europe this season is a difficulty. In case of rain, it would be inappropriate to drive group. The other difficulty is the authorization of visas for border crossings. Some countries that did not seem to be a problem there are a few months we were reluctant to grant these visas “confided Harout Bokarian. From Europe and connecting the Armenian motorcycle would be very difficult. Also, it now offers to arrive by plane in Georgia and Armenia connect motorbike. The group of bikers should ride and waving the Armenian tricolor with a black ribbon which will be attached as a sign of mourning.

Krikor Amirzayan